Chapter Text
It was not a big deal. It really wasn’t. Despite Carla’s raised eyebrow and it being type of thing that usually is a big deal, in this context, it was not. It was simple and almost too easy; a trip to the registry office and a few signatures and yet another raised eyebrow from Carla later, and Buck and Eddie were married. Only on paper, of course. There was none of the generally expected emotion behind it that would make it anything more than a marriage of convenience.
Because really, not being married was inconvenient as hell.
It was all about Christopher, as most things in Eddie’s life are. Specifically, Chris’s most recent surgery, and the hospital’s absolute refusal to let Buck sign any of the paperwork, or to discharge a tired and sore Chris into Buck’s care. It had been more upsetting to Chris than anyone, and it had been the final straw.
There had been problems before, of course, with doctor visits and the school and even Eddie’s own parents. Far too many people thought it was strange that a “random friend of his dad’s”, as one nurse put it, had so much involvement in Christopher’s life. Eddie didn’t know how to explain to them that Buck wasn’t some random friend, he was Buck. And to add to the entire dumpster fire, his parents had made it clear that, will or no will, if something happened to Eddie, they were going to fight for custody. That couldn’t be allowed to happen.
It had been Carla’s idea, the marriage, although she would say later that it wasn’t quite what she had meant. She’d refused to elaborate when interrogated though, and had agreed to be their witness with a long-suffering sigh that Eddie thought was undeserved. It was a good idea, and it would make the process of Buck adopting Chris infinitely easier.
The adoption would take six months or so to finalise, but in the meantime, Buck being Christopher’s legal stepdad would have to be enough.
“After you, husband,” Buck laughed, fitting his key into the Diaz house’s front door and holding it open with a flourish.
“Why thank you, husband.” Eddie chuckled right back, and wondered when it would stop being funny. Probably not for a good, long while. “Beer?”
When Buck nodded, he grabbed two from the fridge and a soda for Carla, and plopped himself down on the couch. Buck was already in his usual spot, and Carla was perched in the chair opposite, huge handbag crouched at her feet. She didn’t drink much, and Eddie had stopped offering a long time ago.
“Well,” she had an odd, pinched look on her face, like she knew the answer to a joke she was yet to share. She raised her can. “Here’s to the happy couple.”
They clinked their drinks together and there was a beat of silence as they sipped, Buck’s shoulder jostling Eddie with the movement.
“Didn’t think I’d be married again so soon, or ever.” It was a joke, mostly, and Buck gave the appropriate snort.
“Oh, but darling,” he draped an arm over Eddie’s shoulders, drawing out the word with a chuckle. “We’re so in love, how did you not see it coming?”
Eddie was right, and he shoved Buck away with another laugh; this was going to be funny for a very long time.
“So,” Carla asked, when their drinks were almost empty and the clock warned it was nearly time to get Chris from school. Her voice was too casual, and Eddie picked up immediately on the underlying curiosity; this was more than just an offhand question. “What do Marisol and Tommy think about this?”
Oh. Oh shit.
The last few days had been a whirlwind of discussion, legal documents, and excitement from Chris. They hadn’t talked to their partners at all. Honestly, Marisol hadn’t even crossed Eddie’s mind since she had been around for dinner on Sunday night. If he had to guess from the five stages of grief currently marching their way across Buck’s face, he was thinking much the same thing.
“Mmmm, I thought as much.” Carla pursed her lips and treated them to the millionth raised eyebrow of the day.
“Well, it’s not as if we’re cheating on them,” Buck rationed, bringing his beer to his lips and frowning when he found it empty. “This is just for logistics purposes.”
“Exactly,” Eddie responded far too quickly even for his own ears. “I’m not even attracted to men. Marisol will understand.”
“Well, I am attracted to men,” Buck’s forehead crinkled further, and Eddie got the same urge he always did to smooth it away. “But this is different. I’m sure Tommy will get it.”
“Of course he will.” He might not, but it was done now, and Eddie was suddenly afraid. What had he been thinking, asking this of Buck? Marisol was one thing. They weren’t that serious, and if she didn’t like him making the best decision for his son then she could kick rocks. But Buck really liked Tommy. They had a good thing going, and Eddie didn’t want to be the one to ruin that.
“Well, if he doesn’t, that’s his problem, right? He knows that my top priority is Chris. He will just have to deal.” Buck’s voice was firm, echoing Eddie’s thoughts toward Marisol aloud, and the worry evaporated. Of course he was just overthinking it. Buck had made the decision willingly.
It really wasn’t a big deal. Chris was what mattered. If he was protected, emotionally and legally, then everything else came second. The people in their life would get it.
“You’re right. It’s not like this is a real marriage. We’re already planning to get divorced once the adoption goes through in six months or so, right? So it’s really no big deal.”
“Absolutely.” Buck was grinning again. “Tommy will just have to deal with fucking a married man. That might make a hell of a roleplay.”
“Eww,” Eddie complained, but he was already imagining Marisol in the same scenario. He’d worked through his Catholic guilt about the nun thing, and she’d even worn the habit in bed for him. This could add an extra layer.
“I’m gonna leave y’all to it.” Carla stood and hoisted her bag onto her shoulder. Her lips were pinched again, one eyebrow cocked almost into her hairline, but Eddie had long since given up on trying to guess what she was thinking. “Tell Chris I said hello, and I’ll see him tomorrow.”
“Bye, Carla!” They were so in sync that it made Eddie laugh. They couldn’t have done it better if they’d rehearsed.
Carla saw herself out, and Buck gathered the empty drinks and their keys. Chris would be waiting at the pickup point, bouncing with excitement to know how it went. He’d wanted to be there, and it had taken Eddie a good long conversation to convince him that it would be boring. They were just signing papers, and there was none of the usual wedding fanfare.
“Come on, husband,” Buck held the door, milking the joke for all it was worth. “Our son awaits.”
And that was the heart of it, wasn’t it?
Our son.
Eddie grinned, for once in his life one hundred percent sure that he’d made the right call.
..
Gay Parents Club
Deisel: did they do it yet?
Deisel: also stop changing my name to deisel what the fuck
Denny removed their nickname.
Chris set Denny’s nickname to Deisel.
Chris: no<3
Chris: also yup! they did. they r married now!!!
Chris: but like can u not tell ur moms yet
Denny removed their nickname.
Harry set Denny’s nickname to Deisel.
Deisel: oh my god
Denny set Harry’s nickname to Heisel.
Denny set Chris’s nickname to Chreisel.
Deisel: but yeah no dw i wont. i wanna see this play out in real time
Heisel: same here tbh. why is this so funny tho like how do they not know???
Deisel: chris im sorry but ur dads are gayer than my moms
Chreisel: no guys my dads are totally straight
Deisel: ya, straight up delulu